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By John S. Berber

Olefin and paraffin mixtures (C10-C16 and C10-C22) were separated from low-temperature lignite tar by urea adduction and sulfated to yield secondary alkyl sulfate detergents. The C10 ?C16 secondary alkyl sulfate showed a 99.3 percent biodegradability, and the C10-C22 fraction showed a 96.8 percent biodegradability, exceeding the required standard of 80 percent for the biodegradability of anionic detergents in washing and cleaning compounds. Chlorination of paraffins yielded a detergent of 93.2 to 93.4 percent biodegradability.

Jan 1, 1968

By M. J. Brevoort

Research work in the Bureau of Mines cryogenic laboratory requires the use of high-sensitivity galvanometers of the d'Arsonval type in a building that is subject to unusually severe vibrations. A modified form of the galvanometer suspension described by Julius3 has damped the vibrations so successfully that a short note concerning it is thought to be desirable, The laboratory is on the site of the Amarillo helium plant near a building that houses gas engines of from 180 to 250 hp., driving compressors and electric generators. The distances from the galvanometers to the individual engines range from about 80 to 180 feet. The subsoil, consisting of black clay loam, transmits the impulses without much damping. The usual methods of protecting galvanometers from vibration were tried and proved fruitless. A Julius suspension purchased on the market was carefully installed in the hope that it would overcome the difficulty, but the conditions were too severe even for this elaborate arrangement. Several mudifications of the original Julius suspension, which were then introduced, resulted in almost complete elimination of all vibrational effects.

Jan 1, 1931

By James P. Bennett

To improve construction materials for emerging chemical and metallurgical technologies, the Bureau of Mines is investigating the acid resistance of ceramic materials. In the study described here, eight commercial ceramic materials comprising two red shale, two fire clay, a silica, a silicon carbide, a carbon, and a high-alumina brick were evaluated. Samples were exposed to 20 wt-pct HC1 at 50° C for 110 days. The test apparatus designed to evaluate the materials is described. Changes in chemical and mineralogical composition, cold crushing strength, volume, and weight, and leach rates of AI, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Si, and Ti ions were monitored. In general, the statistically significant physical property changes that occurred were small. In many cases, no changes were detected.

Jan 1, 1982

By A. U. Miller

Since the organization of the Federal Bureau of Mines, part of the duties of the field men of the Safety Division has been to teach those connected with the minerals industries how to render the proper assistance to an injured worker between the time of the accident and the time when the injured receives medical attention--in other words, "first aid to the injured." For a number of years after the training was introduced, the response of mine officials and workers was very slow. Many times Bureau instructors devoted at least a week to training 5 to 15 or a few more men. However, in recent years since the companies and the Bureau of Mines have had an opportunity to study the results of first aid training, it has been found that in addition to taking care of an injured worker after an accident and thereby greatly reducing the severity rate, the tendency is for the majority of those who take the training to be more careful in their work, or to be more "safety conscious."

Jan 1, 1938

Track and control the tram maneuvers of continuous mining machines by developing and evaluating a laser sensor system. Background Progressive technology has the potential to greatly improve mine-worker safety, helping to create a safer, better working environment for mine workers by keeping them away from the dangerous face area. To benefit from such technology, the Bureau is investigating remote, computer-assisted operation of mining systems for underground, highwall, and surface mining applications. A cornerstone for computer-assisted operation is an effective guidance system. Since there are no guidance systems on any commercial continuous miners (CM's), the Bureau it-self developed and tested a laser-based sensor system, based on a commercial sensor called Lasernet. The laser-based guidance system employs four laser scanning sensors at fixed locations in a mine entryway to report the angular coordinates of two cylindrical retro-reflective targets mounted on a CM. Using triangulation, a real-time microcomputer system processes the sensor data and updates the xy position and heading (h) of the CM five times per second. Using a simple control algorithm and communications interface to the CM control computer, the system also controls rotational and translational tram maneuvers.

Jan 1, 1992

By James J. Snodgrass

The Bureau of Mines designed and constructed a series of calibration models for geophysical borehole logging. A nominal hole diameter of 3 inches was selected as representative of typical core holes drilled for mining and engineering purposes, although additional hole diameters of 2, 5, and 8 inches are provided in one of the models for determination of empirical correction factors for variations in hole diameter. The physical properties of the models were determined by laboratory analyses of drill core samples and evaluated statistically for reliability. This report outlines the location of the models, elements of design and construction, and results of the laboratory tests. The models are available at the Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colo., for use by Government agencies and private industry to calibrate logging equipment for measurements of density, sonic velocity, magnetic susceptibility, and electrical resistivity.

Jan 1, 1976

By Jack I. Paige

The Bureau of Mines conducted studies to provide data on the room temperature mechanical properties of Ti-6Al-4V alloy cast in waterglass-bonded zircon sand and to determine the effect of hot iso-static pressing (HIP) on these properties. Data on the cast and annealed Ti-6Al-4V alloy were compared with published data for forged and investment-cast Ti-6Al-4V alloy. The average Charpy V-notch impact strength compared favorably with the typical values of 17 ft?lbf for wrought material and 19.2 ft?lbf for investment-cast material. The room temperature mechanical proper-ties of cast and annealed material compared favorably with published values for investment-cast Ti-6Al-4V alloy and exceeded the specifications for (1) titanium and titanium alloy castings, grade C-5 according to ASTM B367-69, and (2) titanium alloy bars and forgings as specified in AMS4928H, except for the AMS4928H minimum requirement for reduction in area (25 pct). The minimum requirements are: tensile strength, 130 ksi; yield strength, 120 ksi (0.2 pct); and elongation, 6 pct. None of the specimens tested met the AMS4928H minimum requirement for reduction in area. The HIP process healed the internal casting porosity in the test specimens, but the fatigue strength was not significantly improved. The fatigue properties of both the cast and cast plus hot isostatically pressed castings were significantly lower than those of wrought products.

Jan 1, 1984

By M. L. Glenn

The Bureau of Mines is conducting research on Fe-based alloys using Si and Al additions to reduce the Cr required for heat-resisting appli-cations. Part of this research is being done to evaluate alloys containing (8-10)Cr-(10-14)Ni-(0-8.5)Si-(0-4) Al to determine which of these alloys have austenitic structures, as well as fabrication properties and oxidation resistance sufficient to substitute for type 304 stainless steel. Based on initial results, an Fe-lOCr-11Ni-5Si alloy and an Fe-8Cr-13Ni-5Si alloy were selected for evaluation of oxidati.on, stress rupture, and tensile properties. Both alloys have oxidation resistance at 7000 and 8000 C that is better than that of type 304 stainless steel. The stress rupture strengths are less than that of type 304 stainless steel but significantly better than that of commercial heat-resisting steels with similar Cr contents. Yield strengths of the alloys were equivalent to that of type 304. Both alloys had high tensile strengths comparable to those of stainless steels that transform to martensite during straining (e.g., type 301). These alloys have weld-hot-cracking resistance comparable to that of type 304 stainless steel. This initial study shows that Si has potential as a substitute for Cr in stainless steels for heat-resisting applications.

Jan 1, 1984

Although coal is found in several locations in Virginia, almost all recent mining has occurred in the southwestern part of the state. Potentially minable reserves are estimated at 2.6 billion tons, slightly less than one percent of the national total. Coal ranges from high- to low-volatile bituminous, and seams average three to four feet in thickness. Virginia produces coal with higher BTUs (British Thermal Units) and a lower sulfur content than the national average. Historically its high quality has made Virginia coal attractive for metallurgical coke production and for the export market. Coal production and related industries have a significant economic impact in southwestern Virginia. In the seven coal- producing counties, coal mining is the major industry. In the two largest coal-producing counties (Buchanan and Wise), over 40 percent of total earning is derived from the coal industry. Virginia's regulatory program was conditionally approved December 15,198 1, and received final approval May 8, 1984. Its Abandoned Mine Land Program was approved with the regulatory program December 15, 1981, with emergency program authority approved November 13,1987.

Jan 1, 1992

By Alan D. Hartman

Instabilities in electric steelmaking furnace arcs cause electrical and acoustical noise, reduce operating efficiency, increase refractory erosion, and increase electrode usage. The U.S. Bureau of Mines is investigating methods to stabilize these arcs. To perform experiments to test new hypotheses, Bureau researchers designed and instrumented an advanced, experimental single-phase furnace. This report describes this furnace, which was equipped with high-speed data acquisition capabilities for electrical, temperature, pressure, and flow-rate measurements; automated atmosphere control; ballistic calorimetry; and view ports for high-speed cinematography. Precise environmental control and accurate data acquisition allow the statistical design of experiments and assignment of rigorous confidence limits when potential furnace or procedural modifications are tested.

Jan 1, 2010

By V. H. Gottschalk

Among the procedures developed by the Germans for providing the tonnage of iron powder needed to make rotating bands for artillery shells is the use of a ceramic tunnel kiln, not only for finishing the reduction of centrifugal powders but also for making so-called "brickyard sponge iron," which, after crushing and grinding, seems to yield a product suitable for powder-metallur- gical purposes. The final report issued jointly by the German Powder-Metallurgical Society (DPG) and the Chemical-Metallurgical Branch of the Research Depart- ment of the Metallgesellschaft, Inc. (ZFC of MG) gives the available details of this procedure, which may be regarded as a further development of the process in commercial use since 1911 at a ceramic plant in Hoeganaes, Sweden. The Bureau of Mines' wartime development of the Hoeganaes process also cul- minated in the adaptation of ceramic tunnel kilns for carrying out the solid- carbon reduction of iron ores, and comparison with the German technique should further advance the art. This information circular is issued as a supplement to Bureau of Mines reports of investigations Nos. 3819,2 3822, 3841,2 and 4271, on brick- yard sponge iron and is based on four German reports entitled "Making Iron. Powder in the Tunnel Kiln," translated from FIAT microfilm reel H-46, frames 9190-9209, 9280-9299, 9339-9357, and 9377-9384 (PB L 70042), which represent the four original research reports, Nos. 2005, 2008, 2010, and 2012, respec- tively, of the Metallgesellschaft, Inc.

Aug 1, 1948

By E. G. Davis

The Bureau of Mines made laboratory-scale experiments to examine the technical possibilities of reclaiming manganese from slags produced by oxygen lancing of high-manganese pig iron. Ferromanganese was added to molten pig iron to yield a 4-to 5-percent manganese hot metal, which simulated a product obtainable from the blast furnace. This was injected with oxygen to reduce the metal to 1 percent or less manganese and form a slag containing about 40 percent manganese. The molten slag was water-quenched, treated with H2SO4) roasted at 660° C, and water-leached to give soluble manganese and iron sulfates. The sulfates were precipitated as hydroxides, converted to the oxide form, and smelted to produce a standard ferromanganese containing 74.6 percent Mn and 0.01 percent P. As an alternate method of manganese recovery, a manganese cell feed was prepared from the leach solutions and electrolytic manganese was produced. Direct smelting of the high-manganese slag resulted in 74.2 ferromanganese meeting ASTM specifications except for phosphorus content. The high phosphorus content of the metal and high slag-to-metal ratio obtained made this approach unattractive.

Jan 1, 1966

By L. J. Kane

While analyzing synthesis gas produced from coal, the Bureau of Mines found that conventional procedures for naphthalene determination were difficult and time consuming. The Bureau developed a rapid and sensitive turbidimetric procedure, which requires only simple instruments and hence can be used in plant-control laboratories. The gas is passed through a saturated aqueous solution of picric acid at 3° to 4° C. whose turbidity is then measured at room temperature. A dispersing agent is added to prevent coagulation of the suspension on warming. Only about 1 mg. (0.015 grain) of naphthalene need be absorbed, and precision and sensitivity are a few ten-thousandths of a grain, or a few hundredths of a grain per 100 cubic feet. The determination can be completed less than 10 minutes after absorption. INTRODUCTION One of the functions of the Branch of Coal Gasification, Bureau of Mines, Morgantown, W. Va., is to develop economical methods for manufacturing, from coal, a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide for producing hydrogen, methane, and other gaseous fuels. This raw gas may contain many impurities, including naphthalene. This impurity is usually determined by first forming naphthalene picrate in a water solution of picric acid, separating the picrate, and titrating the unreacted picric acid or the picrate itself.

Jan 1, 1957

By F. K. McIntosh, A. F. Robertson, T. J. Ballard

"INTRODUCTION Molybdenum deposits occur in Halifax County, N. C., near the eastern border of the Piedmont province. The deposits are associated with a small granite body about 2 miles long and half a mile wide. Molybdenite is the principal ore mineral and is found as disseminations or thin stringers in quartz veins and occasionally in the enclosing granite or schist wall rock.The deposits were investigated by Almon F. Robertson and Charles J. Cohen, engineers of the Bureau of Mines, in 1942 and 1943, who recommended that the deposits be explored to supplement reserves of critical war minerals.The Bureau made the initial exploration of the deposits in July 1943 and continued its work to January 1944. Drilling was resumed from July to December 1946 to test the deposits at &eater depth than had been attempted during the previous exploration."

Dec 1, 1947

By R. E. Siemens

The Bureau of Mines sought to correlate the variation of structure-sensitive superconducting properties with microstructure in selected Cb-Hf alloys and to compare the experimental results with those predicted by the GLAG theory. Alloys in wire and rod form were evaluated by critical temperature, critical current, magnetization, resistivity measurements, and optical and electron microscopy. In the absence of an external magnetic field, the current carrying capacity of columbium was greatly reduced with addition of up to 85 wt pct Hf, but a large increase in Ic occurred for Cb-90 wt pct Hf. Favorable Ic-H behavior was observed in cold-drawn alloys containing 25 and 57 wt pct Hf. Correspondingly, a maximum in Tc occurred at 10-25 and 90 wt pct Hf. Four- or five-hour heat treatment at 600° C resulted in maximum Ic values and maximum hysteresis in magnetization. Dislocation pileup, polygonization, and fine precipitates, responsible for flux pinning, are listed in order of their effectiveness as pinning sites. Sites having an average separation of 1,500 to 3,000 A and a diameter of 1,000 A or less were most effective in influencing Ic-H and M-H behavior. The resistive critical fields increased smoothly to a maximum of 80 k0e between 60 and 65 wt pct Hf. Highfield, mixed state, reversible paramagnetism was observed in some alloys; however, the GLAG theory was in good agreement with experimental results for the majority of the composition range studied.

Jan 1, 1969

By G. L. Gates

The Bureau of Mines in cooperation with the City of Long Beach) Calif.) studied some physical factors effecting the deposition of barium sulfate scale in oil-well rotary pumps. Freshly formed barium sulfate was obtained by combining sulfate in sea water with barium from a barium chloride solution. The rate of scale deposition was measured quantitatively by weighing the pump impellers and diffusers. The results of the tests showed that coating the impellers with plastic significantly reduced the rate of barium sulfate deposition.

Jan 1, 1967

By R. Y. Williams

In this report an attempt is made to discuss the first cost of each of several types of mine-ventilation stoppings, as well as the total annual expense of maintaining a stopping during its required period of service. Such data furnish a basis for comparison of the efficiency of the different types, and are of great importance to an engineer planning the development of a mine. The data given were obtained through an investigation conducted under a cooperative agreement between the Bureau of Mines, the Illinois State Geological Survey, and the department of mining engineering of the University of Illinois. The report itself is published by the Bureau of Mines as a contribution to the literature on safety and efficiency in coal mining.

Jan 1, 1915

By E. S. Shedd

Misch metal was electrowon from a treated bastnasite concentrate in a REF3-LiF-BaF2 electrolyte at 950° C. The metal was prepared and tapped from a 1,000-ampere cell, and nearly 100-percent utilization of the rare-earth oxide was achieved. Prolonged operation in a smaller cell (40 amperes) indicated that the composition of the misch metal product was reasonably constant, and no significant increase of impurities, with the exception of carbon, was noted.

Jan 1, 1970

By B. B. Letson

The heats of formation of lithium chloride and lithium oxalate were determined with the aid of a Bureau-developed, glass Dewar-type solution calorimeter which uses thermistors as its temperature sensing element. Values obtained at 298.15° K were -98.38 ± 0.54 kcal/mole for lithium chloride and -329.02 ± 0.79 kcal/mole for lithium oxalate, using graphite as the standard state for carbon.

Jan 1, 1965

By M. J. Brevoort

Research work in the Bureau of Mines cryogenic laboratory requires the use of high-sensitivity galvanometers of the d'Arsonval type in a building that is subject to unusually severe vibrations. A modified form of the galvanometer suspension described by Julius' has damped the vibrations so successfully that a short note concerning it is thought to be desirable. The laboratory is on the site of the Amarillo helium plant near a building that houses gas engines of from 180 to 250 hp driving compressors and electric generators. The distances from the galvanometers to the individual engines range from about 80 to 180 feet. The subsoil, consisting of black clay loam, transmits the impulses without much damping. The usual methods of protecting galvanometers from vibration were tried and proved fruitless. A Julius suspension purchased on the market was carefully installed in the hope that it would overcome the difficulty, but the conditions were too severe even for this elaborate arrangement. Several modifications of the original Julius suspension, which were then introduced, resulted in almost complete elimination of all vibrational effects. These modifications were suggested by careful study of the original idea embraced in the Julius construction. They were designed to give further constraint to motion in any direction other than that parallel to a line from the point of support through the center of gravity of the suspension, This was accomplished by making the suspended frame more rigid and by improving the means of adjusting each of the supporting wires to the same degree, thereby transmitting any impulse symmetrically through the three wires. The result was a suspension that is more effective, particularly for severe vibration, than the form described by Julius; also, it is believed to have advantages in stability, simplicity, and ease of adjustment over the few suspensions for this type of service that the author has found described in the literature.

Jan 1, 1931